British television presenter Caroline Flack has been found dead at her home in East London, The Mirror reports. She was 40 years old.
A statement from her family has been released, which reads: "We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February. We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time."
A lawyer for the family said she had died by suicide.
The ex-Love Island host had just returned to the UK after retreating to Los Angeles following the aftermath of an alleged assault on her boyfriend, Lewis Burton.
Flack was set to face trial on March 4 over these allegations, after pleading not guilty. Both Flack and Burton were banned from contacting each other and therefore had to spend Valentine's Day apart. This didn't stop Burton from showing his appreciation for the star on social media, posting a picture of them together and sending her his love.
Flack's arrest on suspicion of assault, which took place in December 2019, forced her to step down as the host and face of ITV2's popular dating show, Love Island — the biggest milestone in her TV-hosting career.
Caroline Flack had been on television since 2001, featuring on shows such as Britain's Got More Talent, The X Factor, I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, and more.
This news is absolutely devastating and we send our condolences to her family and friends.
